Still Waiting

Hi

sorry you find yourself here-- and it does stink that you have to wait longer--but it seems that your gyn is confident-maybe she had some access to the biopsy results.  Truth is, you will have to wait until after surgery to have the whole pictures-but you can get a lot of info from the biopsy--- and just talking to the surgeon who has likely seen this a thousand times before will be helpful.  He/she can make recommendations to you about the surgical options and you can decide what you want to do.  

I think the best advice I got here was to take it one step at a time--I always wanted to jump, race to the next steps… lumpectomy, chemo, rads--I wanted to do it all at once just to get it over with--but the truth is, you have time to figure it out and make choices--- and honestly, once you have the surgery, you will feel so much better-- having a plan will make you feel better.  This part, right now, is the absolute hardest- you don't have enough information and you are thinking the worst.   Everyone here knows exactly how that feels and our hearts go out to you.

Take a list of questions with you to the surgeon and another person or a digital voice recorder--- it is so hard to remember what they said and having another set of ears or someone to take notes will make a huge difference.

good luck

Hello Thinkingpositive, 

We're really sorry you have found yourself here but welcome! You will get lots of support from the compassionate women here who can relate to what you are going through. 

You may also find it helpful to read the Breast Cancer 101 page

Big hugs from the moderators

Stage 0-1 is great news! Now you have get more answers - the size, grade, a family history of breast cancer, and location of your mass are important factors in deciding what treatment plan you need. Personally, I'd first consult a medical oncologist (MO) so that you have someone who is there to provide information and help you make informed decisions. Equally important, the MO oversees all aspects of your treatment. A MO basically has a role very similar to that of your regular doc - the MO can help you with decisions about your treatment options, what other specialists should be consulted, and can act as your home base. Obviously, you'll need a surgeon and at least a consult with a radiation oncologist. I have found my MO invaluable - she has done a great job in managing my care and providing answers to questions my surgeon didn't fully explain, and in helping me find everything from emotional support to ways of handling side effects of different treatments.

I'm really happy for you in that you cancer was found so early. I also know that it is incredibly hard to wrap your mind around the fact that you have cancer. Despite my shock of having cancer, I realized that in order to get the best outcome possible, I had to become a very proactive partner with my docs. I'd urge you to be very proactive - not only does that tend to make your treatment plan more effective, it also empowers you and eases some of emotional roller that is a part of having cancer.

Wishing you the best

bride